Veterans are an Important Part of the Frito-Lay Family

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, as set forth in PepsiCo’s “Performance with Purpose” goals, we have made hiring veterans and their family members a high priority.

In addition to valuing the sacrifice our veterans have selflessly made for this country, Frito-Lay recognizes the enormous talent and dedication that veterans bring to our team, which is why we have been so passionate in recruiting and hiring these outstanding candidates.

To ensure veterans successfully transition to the civilian workforce, while still feeling connected in the wider veteran community, Frito-Lay has a veteran-focused employee resource group called Valor. Valor’s mission is to recognize, appreciate, and support all veterans, the military and their families within our communities. One way Valor helps newly hired veterans is through a program that links them with established veteran employees to help guide, coach and assist them on their career journey at Frito-Lay. No one understands the needs, concerns and aspirations of these veterans better than their fellow service members.

To recruit veterans, Frito-Lay is very active in attending and sponsoring national, regional and local veteran career events. We also partner with leading veteran recruitment and support organizations, such as American Corporate Partners (ACP), a non-profit dedicated to helping military veterans successfully transition into a civilian career, as well as Allies in Service, Veteran CASY Employment, Hiring Our Heroes and Military Spouse Corporate Career Network.

Beyond outreach at numerous veteran events and through our own social media channels, Frito-Lay and PepsiCo have raised the profile of veterans and their sacrifice. Rolling Remembrance is one of those. It is a 7,000-mile relay involving 38 veteran drivers who carry an American flag, which was originally flown on a UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopter in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012, across their delivery routes. A ceremony is conducted at each flag hand-off, garnering local media attention and spotlighting veteran employees.

We are also involved in “Carry the Load,” a non-profit dedicated to providing active, meaningful ways to honor and celebrate the sacrifices made by our nation’s heroes. “Carry the Load” raises money in support of veterans and first responders, and builds homes for heroes, provides adaptive training for the injured, underwrites mental health programs and more.

At Frito-Lay, we are proud of our efforts to recruit and support veterans and their families. While national veteran employment rates decreased from 2011 to 2016, PepsiCo’s percentage of veteran hires increased. In fact, more than a quarter of our workforce is made up of veterans and their spouses. We know we are a stronger business because of the character of our associates, and veterans play an important part in allowing us to achieve our goals.